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Black Friday Puts PS3 Demand "At An All Time High"

We had all assumed the PlayStation 3 would have a decent Black Friday, what with all the amazing software available and those bundle deals found at most every major retailer.

Well, the day that marks the official start to the holiday season - for retailers, anyway - was better than "decent" for Sony's flagship console. According to a statement recently released by Sony Senior Director of Corporate Communications and Social Media, Patrick Seybold, PS3 demand "was at an all time high." He said that "all key retailers" showed a definite increase in sales for PS3 and PSP titles, and for the week ending November 29, the PS3 sold over 440,000 units. ...that's in just one week, remember. Added Seybold:

"In today's economy, consumers are drawn to items that offer the most value for their money, making the PS3 an ideal choice for those who want a comprehensive gaming and entertainment system all in one package. Combine that with exclusive holiday bundles and an extensive software line-up, one that many analysts are calling the best in the industry, with titles such as Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack in Time, UNCHARTED 2:Among Thieves, and LittleBigPlanet: Game of the Year, we have no doubt the momentum and demand will continue and consumers will prove that entertainment this holiday season is going to be defined by PlayStation."

You know, I said something similar in my Week in Review: consumers aren't stupid, and they're going to want the most bang for their buck. If that's the case, what would make any of them purchase something like the Xbox 360? In direct comparison, it's tough to argue what appears to be the plain choice... Ah, but the holiday season has just begun and it's always a battle until the end. Kinda fun, honestly.

Comments (73 posts)

If I didn't have a PS3 already I properly would have got one now being all the great Games and very appealing price tag. Thumbs up to Sony to the way they have brought the Playstation 3 from strength to strength!

Are we speaking of the modders? I'm fairly certain MS took that into account, knowing full well that bringing the hammer of permaban down around the holidays would boost their sales record for anyone who wanted to play online again.

Yes World, not to mention that it coincided with MW2's release. Cripple those that circumvented Microsoft “law” just when the beast is about to release, which then softens the blow. You want to bitch and mown about us breaking your XBOX360? Pffft, buy a new one, and you will get to play MW2 online. MW fans needed their crack fix, so Microsoft did their policing now, and it was the perfect time to get away with it.Last edited by MyWorstNightmar on 12/1/2009 3:58:44 PM

Yeah, saying that you doubled your previous week sales total doesn't say a whole lot. Anybody who was in the market for a console that has any financial savy, would say to themselves, do I want to buy a system now, or wait till next week when all the supposed Black Friday deals will be in effect.

If all they did was double the sales numbers, then XBOX did a poor showing.

World, you get a thumbs down for not knowing about a streaming music service that is not available in the US? HA!
Thumbs down police strike again.
I think it is Katie Holmes dad that doesn't like you because your avatar reminds him of his son-in-law!Last edited by MyWorstNightmar on 12/1/2009 5:34:48 PM

You know, one other thing that may be working in Sony's favor is that broadly speaking the PS3 is not known simply as a FPS system. Games like LBP, Gran Turismo, Ratchet & Clank, Uncharted 2 and even Pain have captured the attention of customers. It doesn't hurt to have God of War either. Casual titles like Buzz and Singstar also broaden the appeal.

I just think that as the HD game consoles move into the mass market phase of their life, that it's not just the value for money that customers look for. Mass market customers want more than hardcore shooters and shouty teenagers in their headsets. The console with the broader appeal is the console that will be successful, and Sony appears to me to be continually broadening the appeal of the PS3 through the games.

It's funny, but this whole Natal thing where MS will treat it as if it were a new console launch, smacks of targeting early adopters and hard core gamers again. Just as Sony starts to broaden it's base, Microsoft may narrow theirs.

Sony's motion sensing/control system is an add on, not a whole new console. Sony's adding 3D through firmware, not a new console. Sony has BluRay, no need for a new console. I think consumers will appreciate that.

I'm sure that Sony is hoping that this holiday season marks a turning point for them, and so far it seems to be just that.

True what you said. If the Xbox controller has buttons called "triggers", you can pretty much know it's designed strictly for shooting games. What's the big deal that MW2 outsells 3:1 for a shooting to an all-round console?

One thing that Natal will do is attract the mindless Wii owners out there. I'm sure Microsoft is willing to sacrifice their hardcore audience to gain back 2-3 times the casual.

I'm supporting the Sony motion controller all the way, but all the benefits will not be known to the public. The thing you have to compliment Microsoft on, is that they are capable of overhyping nothing.

"I just think that as the HD game consoles move into the mass market phase of their life, that it's not just the value for money that customers look for. Mass market customers want more than hardcore shooters and shouty teenagers in their headsets. The console with the broader appeal is the console that will be successful, and Sony appears to me to be continually broadening the appeal of the PS3 through the games."

You sir, are very wise. What you just said is the main reason my fellow gamers and myself dumped the 360 and switched to PS3 (going through multiple 360's in a few years time helped also)

I've always liked how you say what you say without having to bash the compitition.

@ GODSMAN

"One thing that Natal will do is attract the mindless Wii owners out there."

I always say the 360 is the Wii HD, or the upgrade for the Wii graduates (just listen to what you hear comming through your headset while playing on LIVE).Last edited by Mysterio Spyder on 12/1/2009 4:03:34 PM

The slow start that brought the hate is now a massive head of steam plowing through the douchebaggery in the industry, and that is a good thing for everyone, now the industry can move forward and put these dvd-gimpy games behind.

And we still have the sales from people who hate black friday rushes to come down the pipe in the month. I can't believe it's December already, there isn't even any snow on the ground. Quick! Play your games before global warming kills us all!

3 reasons I bought my 360 a few months ago (over a year after getting my hands on a PS3 first)

1. So I could play games with all my friends who opted for the cheaper console at the time. They're all going PS3 when God of War 3 and Gran Turismo 5 are released.

2. So I could play certain few exclusives like Halo 3 (even though I don't like it much, all my friends play it religiously), Gears of War 2 (totally worth buying a 360 for) and Fable 2 (good game, even if Peter Molyneux is so egocentric he views all other humans as ants doing his bidding)

3. I wanted to get the HD updated versions of PS2 games like Bully, TR Legend and Anniversary, Burnout Revenge and DOA 4 (had DOA 2 on PS2)

Nothing wrong with people buying a 360, it's only wrong if they think the rest of the competition sucks when they are clearly showing their insecurities over their console of choice sucking.

Nice to hear, we had some massive sales in Canada this past weekend which was weird cause usually you don't see anything till boxing day (dec 26) picked up Dragon age for 39.99, picked up Dual shock Controller w.unchartered 1 for 60bucks, and both our local walmarts,futureshops are back ordered for Slim PS3's :)
I'm considering getting another one just cause right now me and the hubby are fighting over the one we have he wants to play dragon age and I want to get all my trophies in Uno LOL and play GOW collection since he hogged the system and beat both GOW's already.
We'll see what boxing day brings us :) since we will need a second tv for the 2nd PS3 :)

Ahh i love boxing day! its the day ater christmas, where all the stores that over stocked for the hlidays sell there stuff for low prices, just to get rid of it! and i have a huge family get together and initiate any new member :D

It is not a national holiday (I don't know if it is a national holiday in Canada either, but it IS listed on calendars.) in the U.S. or anything, but U.S. merchants always have after X-mas sales and New Year sales the week after X-mas trying to unload all their extra merchandise.

Exclusives God of War III and GT5 come to mind. I wouldn't concider Heavy Rain a blockbuster title. Looking forward to it mind you, but wouldn't concider it a blockbuster.

It won't have huge sales numbers out of the gate. I think people will take a wait and see approach, and as the reviews come in and word of mouth spreads from those who have played it, then if it is deserving, the sales numbers will creap up.Last edited by MyWorstNightmar on 12/1/2009 4:30:28 PM

Sweedie, have you been a reader of this site a while like me? How many times have we heard about system sellers? Resistance 2, Metal Gear Solid 4, Killzone 2, Uncharted 2. I don't believe in "system sellers" anymore. The true system seller was the $299.99 price point.

You bet, time for Activision to bend over. And here in Seattle, I spotted Gabe Newell at Best Buy purchasing a PS3. J/K. (could happen though, I'll keep a look out up here)Last edited by MyWorstNightmar on 12/1/2009 4:06:41 PM

I've seen Microsoft's ads and they are all lame. Just lies, deceit, phoniness and BS. Xbox 360, now starting at $199!

Yeah, a gimped console for $199. You still have to buy a hard drive and XBL Gold. Sony's 120 GB console, which only does everything, is always the better choice. Even the $299 Elite is still a rip off because you still have to buy a battery charger and XBL Gold.

best day ever.well besides completley flunking my programming exam, my psp decided its time to stop reading memory sticks AFTER 2 weeks!(i cant believe that, how can something break after 2 weeks of purchase, its only been on a hour if that).owell, got a brand new one, the saboteur and the avatar for the princely sum of 150 bucks.not bad, not bad at all.the saboteur is actually quite a good game, the platforming bits are retarded, you climb like someone who has had a few bottles of sambuca.the only thing i dont like is the black and white missions.WTF?THIS IS 2009 NOT BLOODY 1909but the explosions O MY FU***NG GOD!now this naughty dog.THIS! is how you do a explosion.in U2 where they blow up the building i had my speakers set to max, and it was like a balloon popping.the saboteur a petrol tank explodes and jesus christ the sound, im going to be deaf for months.my chest is still vibrating, it was like being at a rock concert.the fireball the debree.THIS IS HOW YOU DO A EXPLOSION!never thought i would say this, but pandemic are the masters of explosions.they actually did something well, hell, not well, better than anyone has ever done.someone get me a icy towel im going to faint.